Pre-wash scrap basket for dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A PRE-WASH SCRAP BASKET FOR USE PRIMARILY IN COMMERCIAL DISHWASHING MACHINES HAVING A PRE-WASH SECTION, THE BASKET BEING MOUNTED EXTERNALLY OF THE PRE-WASH SECTION ON THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE FOR EASY ACCESS AND BEING FITTED WITH A HANDLE, REAR BRACKET, AND &#34;SNAP-IN&#34; FEATURE FOR EASY MOVAL AND CORRECT RE-INSERTION, THE BASKET ITSELF BEING OF A ONE-PIECE RECTANGULAR CONSTRUCTION WITH ALL WALLS THEREOF EXCEPT THE TOP WHICH IS SOLID BEING FORMED FROM A SCREEN-TYPE STRAINING MATERIAL, ONE WALL OF THE BASKET BEING PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING TO ALLOW ENTRY INTO THE BASKET OF WATER BEARING THE REFUSE INITIALLY RE-   MOVED FROM THE DISHES IN THE PRE-WASH SECTION OF THE DISHWASHING MACHINE WHEREBY THE REFUSE IS DEPOSITED WITHIN THE BASKET AND THE WATER ESCAPING THROUGH THE STAINER-WALLS OF THE BASKET IS ALLOWED TO RECIRCULATE THROUGH THE PRE-WASH SECTION OF THE DISHWASHING MACHINE.

June 1971 R. L. HOFFMAN PRE-WASH SCRAP BASKET FOR DISHWASHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 28, 1969 INVENTOR R005? L. HOFFMAN ATTOR EY June 15, 1971 R. L. HOFFMAN 3,585,128

FEE-WASH SCRAP BASKET FOR DISHWASHER Filed July 28, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r r r r r r r rrrrr v n i I I 4 l I I a INVENTOR ROGER L. HOFFMA/v/ ATrdRA/') United States Patent 3,585,128 PRE-WASH SCRAP BASKET FOR DISHWASHER Roger Long Hoffman, Pequannock, N.J., assignor to General Electric Company Filed July 28, 1969, Ser. No. 845,308 Int. Cl. B01d 35/02 US. Cl. 210-452 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pre-wash scrap basket for use primarily in commercial dishwashing machines having a pre-wash section, the basket being mounted externally of the pre-wash section on the front of the machine for easy access and being fitted with a handle, rear bracket, and snap-in feature for easy removal and correct re-insertion, the basket itself being of a one-piece rectangular construction with all walls thereof except the top which is solid being formed from a screen-type straining material, one wall of the basket being provided with an opening to allow entry into the basket of water bearing the refuse initially removed from the dishes in the pre-wash section of the dishwashing machine whereby the refuse is deposited within the basket and the water escaping through the strainer-walls of the basket is allowed to recirculate through the pre-wash section of the dishwashing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1 Field of the invention My invention relates to dishwashing equipment and more particularly to an improvement in scrap basket means for use primarily in conjunction with a pre-wash section of a commercial dishwasher.

(2) Description of the prior art Commercial dishwashers of the rack conveyor type are generally offered for sale with or without a pre-wash section ahead of the main wash tank. Where a pre-wash section is employed, it commonly forms an integral part of the body of the dishwasher and contains its own recirculating pump, tank, drain system, scrap pans, inspection door and scrap baskets.

The function of the pre-wash section is to eliminate or materially reduce the need for a hand pre-scrapping operation prior to washing. The pre-wash section should effectively, through its independent recirculating water system, remove the heavy food soil from the dishes, glassware, etc. automatically. It is important to isolate and remove these heavy food particles and soil from the prewash section at far more frequent intervals than would be necessary if hand pre-scrapping were used. The wash tank, in comparison, has scrapper pans which should only need to be removed for dumping infrequently (hourly). In a high volume operation, therefore, itis an advantage to be able to remove pre-wash soil from the section frequently without the necessity of turning off the recirculating wash pumps or shutting down the drive. In this way production is not slowed during the pre-scrapping operation.

It is known in accordance with the prior art to provide a pre-wash scrap basket and support means therefor which are embodied in the feed-in table section commonly associated with the dishwashing machine. The latter table section is primarily provided for the purpose of supporting and guiding the racks of soiled dishes, glassware, etc. as these racks are in the process of being fed into the dishwasher. A principal disadvantage of this prior art form of pre wash scrap basket means is largely attributable to the position occupied by the latter relative to the dishice washer. Thus, it can be readily understood that in this type of installation in order to permit removal of the prewash scrap basket for emptying purposes it becomes necessary to interrupt the flow into the dishwasher of the racks of soiled dishes, glassware, etc. The elfect therefore is to impede the productive output of the dishwasher during the pre-scrapping operation.

Regarding the structure per se of prior art pre-wash scrap baskets, a number of embodiments thereof diflfering insofar as their individual construction is concerned have been employed in the past. For example, in accordance with one such type of device the pre-wash scrap basket is formed from a screen-type straining material and has a completely open top and separate cover for receiving the refuse bearing water. A handle member projecting from the top of the basket is also provided to facilitate handling of the scrap basket. One particularly undesirable feature of this type of pre-wash scrap basket is that with a completely open top the basket is found to be susceptible to having items accidentally dropped therein. Such items cause clogging or a blockage of the holes in the screenlike material of which the basket is constructed thus interfering with an eflicient and effective recirculation of the water passing through the basket. In addition, the aforementioned separate cover can become lost or bent. Furthemore, depending on the relationship of the handle member to the open top, the handle member often is found to be in the path of the refuse bearing water as the latter flows into the basket. This of course does nothing to enhance the task of periodically removing the scrap basket for purposes of emptying it. In fact, under these circumstances the operator often may exhibit a tendency towards letting the refuse collect in the scrap basket until a point is reached whereat the operation of the dishwasher becomes impaired. Finally, the inherent disadvantage of the above-described approach is that a plurality of parts are required which are capable of easily being misplaced, lost in the case of the cover-like member not being replaced when the scrap basket is returned to its normal operating position in the dishwasher.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved pre-wash scrap basket means for commercial dishwashers particularly of the type having a pre-wash section wherein the pre-wash scrap basket is positioned externally adjacent the front of the dishwasher such as to permit the operator to periodically remove the basket from the dishwasher to remove the pre-wash soil therefrom without affecting the output of the dishwasher.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein the prewash scrap basket including cover, handle, and basket is of one piece construction whereby no parts can be misplaced or lost and whereby proper alignment and replacement of the scrap basket in the dishwasher is facilitated. Proper alignment is necessary to ensure proper water flow from the scrap pans into the scrap basket.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein the pre-wash scrap basket is provided with a quick open side for easy access to the inside of the scrap basket, without use of any tools, to facilitate cleaning thereof and wherein the quick open side is provided with a self-locking and self-aligning feature whereby the quick open side if left partially open accidentally after cleaning is snapped shut automatically when the scrap basket is replaced in the dishwasher.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein the refuse 3 bearing water flows into the pre-wash scrap basket through a side thereof instead of the top thereby precluding the possibility of refuse, etc. from the water accumulating on the handle of the scrap basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred form of the present invention there is provided a pre-wash scrap basket means for use primarily in commercial dishwashing machines having a pre-wash section. The pre-wash scrap basket means is mounted externally of the pre-wash section on the front of the machine for easy access to the scrap basket, the latter fitted with a handle, rear bracket, and snap-in feature for easy removal and correct re-insertion. The scrap basket itself is of a one-piece rectangular construction, all walls except the top which is solid being formed from a screen-type straining material. The rear wall of the scrap basket is provided with an opening to allow entry into the scrap basket of water bearing the refuse initially removed from the dishes, etc. in the prewash section of the dishwashing machine. The refuse is deposited within the scrap basket and the water is recirculated by escaping through the strainer-walls of the scrap basket. When the scrap basket has become partially full of refuse, it is removed by the dishwashing machine operator and cleaned. Cleaning is facilitated by a hinged strainer-wall which can be fully opened to allow easy access to the refuse and its removal. Preferably a pair of side-clips are provided suitably supported on the hinged wall for automatically locking the latter in place when the wall is swung shut. The cleaning scrap basket is then ready for re-insertion into the dishwashing machine.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher having a pre-wash scrap basket means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 illustrating a pre-wash scrap basket means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pre-wash scrap basket means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a pre-wash scrap basket means in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pre-wash scrap basket means of FIG. 4 taken substantially on the line 55 illustrating the securing means for the quick open side of the pre-wash scrap basket.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the invention is shown as incorporated in a rack conveyor type commercial dishwasher generally designated by reference numeral 10, and which comprises a housing 11 divided into a pair of washing compartments 12 and 13 integrally arranged in side-by-side relation. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the compartment 12 may take the form of a conventional pre-wash section as it is commonly referred to in the art wherein the soiled dishes are initially given a preliminary wash to remove the bulk of the food particles which commonly remain on the dishes even if the latter have been given a superficial scraping prior to being fed into the dishwasher 10. Compartment 12 may however also take the form of a conventional power wash section. Whereas compartment 13 on the other hand normally constitutes the spray compartment wherein the so-called actual cleaning of the dishes takes place, it may also function as a rinse compartment in the case wherein compartment 12 constitutes a power wash section. Although not shown it is to be understood that normally in accordance with conventional practice the compartment 13 when employed as the aforesaid spray section includes at its exit end a rinse means wherein the dishes after being washed are subjected to a final rinse with water which is at a maximum sanitizing temperature just prior to their exit from the dishwasher 10.

The compartments 12 and 13 are each closed with a door 14 and 15, respectively, vertically slideable in channels (not shown) suitably provided for this purpose. Each of the doors 14 and 15 is provided with a full-width door lift 16 and 17, respectively, appropriately recessed so as not to present any protrusions which might accidentally be engaged by equipment or personnel passing closely adjacent thereto, or which might catch on the clothing of the operator of the dishwasher 10. The full-width door lifts 16 and 17 allow the lifting action with respect to the doors 14 and 15 to take place all along the entire front of the dishwasher 10 while the doors 14 and 15 permit an operator to readily reach all areas within the dishwasher interior. The dishwasher 10 is preferably supported on a plurality of bullet-like legs 18, each individually adjustable, which are suitably secured to the under surface of the housing 11 at each of the four corners thereof. The requisite water inlet means 19 and associated piping therefor are located in juxtaposed relation to the rear and top of the housing 11 of dishwasher 10 as best seen with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawing. Suitable wash tanks are positioned in conventional fashion behind the front tank panels 20 and 21 of housing 11 for the purpose of receiving the excess of the wash water which has ben sprayed on to the dishes, the latter spraying being accomplished by means of suitable wash spray water means. The water which flows into the aforesaid wash tanks is normally recirculated by means of a pump (not shown). Inasmuch as the manner in which water is circulated and/or recirculated in a dishwasher such as the dishwasher 10 is well known to those skilled in the art and the fact that the manner in which this is accomplished is only indirectly related to the subject matter of the present invention, it has not been further described herein.

As depicted in dotted lines in FIG. 1 Of the drawing, dishes 22 suitably retained in rack 23 are fed into the dishwasher 10 in the direction of arrow 24, i.e., from right to left as viewed with reference to the aforesaid FIG. 1. Suitable flap members 25 are preferably positioned in the entrance opening 26 and also in the exit opening (not shown) located at opposite ends in the housing 11 of dishwasher 10. These flap members 25 are primarily provided for the purpose of substantially closing both of the aforesaid openings so as to minimize the escape of wash water to the exterior of the dishwasher 10. The flap members 25 selected for use for this purpose are of course flexible enough to permit the rack 23 to be passed into the interior of the dishwasher 10 without occasioning any damage to the dishes 22 supported in the rack 23.

A watertight control console 27 is suitably supported on the housing 11 in juxtaposed relation to the compartment 12 at the entrance end of the dishwasher 10. Dials, switches, and indicators all generally designated by the same reference numeral 28 appropriate to the operation of the dishwasher 10 are positioned on the vertical panel 29 of control console 27 which is preferably inclined at a slight angle for easy readability of the instruments positioned thereon. A protective cover 30 precludes excessive drippage of water on to the inclined panel 29, and also assists in preventing abuse to the console 27 which might be occasioned by the loaded racks 23 which pass in close relation thereto as they are being fed into the interior of the dishwasher 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, the racks 23 loaded with soiled dishes 22, or glassware, or other articles to be cleansed are moved through the pre-wash section 12 by means of an improved conveyor chain and track assembly 31, in a manner more fully described and illustrated in my copending patent application, Ser. No. 799,- 751, filed Feb. 17, 1969, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. While the racks 24 pass through the pre-Wash section 12, wash water is directed against the articles supported therein by at least one wash spray compartment above the rack (not shown). It is to be understood however that another such wash spray compartment including wash spray water pipe 32 may be employed if desired below the line of movement of the racks 23 preferably supported in approximately aligned relation with the upper spray compartment (not shown). For ease of illustration only, the lower wash spray water pipe 32 has been depicted in the drawings. A plurality of slots 33 are provided in the wash spray water pipe 32 suitably configurated to direct the wash water in a spray pattern with sufficient force to dislodge essentially all of the heavy food soil adhered to the dishes 22 as the latter are moved through the pre-wash section 12 in the racks 23.

As the food soil is dislodged in the aforedescribed manner from the dishes 22, etc., it falls downwardly onto several scrap pans 34. The pans 34 which are removably supported below the level of the wash spray water pipe 32 by suitable means (not shown) extend from front to rear of the pre-Wash section 12 between the side wall portions 35 thereof. The pans 34 as best seen with reference to FIG. 2 of the drawing are aligned in side-by-side relation and are inclined downwardly towards the front of the dish washer for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Although in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, a pair of scrap pans 34 are employed, primarily this is a matter of convenience for ease of handling of the scrap pans 34 in connection with the removal and periodic cleaning thereof. It is to be understood that if desired one large scrap pan equal in dimensions to the pair of scrap pans 34 could be substituted in place of the pair of pans 34. Also, larger prewash sections may employ a total of 3 or more scrap pans.

The internal scrap pans 34 are constructed of screen-like strainer material to permit at least some of the food soil, i.e., refuse, bearing water as it flows downwardly in the direction of arrows 36 along the upper surface of the scrap pans 34 to pass directly therethrough to the wash water tank (not shown) located below the scrap pans 34 from whence the wash water is recirculated to the wash spray water pipe 32. Inasmuch as the manner in which the wash water is recirculated and the means employed therefor are well known to those skilled in the art, they have not been further described herein.

As can be best understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 of the drawing, the food soil, i.e., refuse, as the latter flows downwardly in the direction of arrows 36 along the upper surface of the scrap pans 34 entrained in the wash water which has previously dislodged this material from the soiled dishes 22, etc. is carried to the pre-wash scrap basket means 37. The pre-wash scrap basket means37 essentially consists of a box-like housing or enclosure 38 and a pre-wash scrap basket 39. The box-like enclosure 38 comprises a front wall 40, a pair of side walls 41 and 42, respectively, and a bottom Wall 43. The top of front wall 40 as well as the tops of side Walls 41 and 42 are each provided with an inwardly extending flange member 40a, 41a, and 42a, respectively Further as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, a suitably positioned sloted opening 44 is provided in flange member 40a for a purpose to be more fully described hereinafter. Bottom wall 43 as seen with reference to FIG. 4 of the drawing abuts against the upwardly extending edge of front panel of housing 11. This ensures that a water-tight seal will exist between the box-like enclosure 38 and the front panel of tank 20 of the pre-wash section 12. Side walls 41 and 42 are fixed such as by welding to pre-wash section 12 to ensure similarly the existence of a Water-tight seal therebetween. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the box-like enclosure 38 is stamped or otherwise formed in a conventional manner from a single piece of suitable material.

The pre-wash scrap basket 39 is of a one-piece rectangular construction, and includes a cover 45, a front wall 46, a bottom wall 47, a pair of side walls 48 and 49, respectively, and a rear wall 50. All of these walls, i.e., walls 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50 are formed from a screen-type straining material whereas the cover 45 is of solid construction, being formed of suitable material such as for example the same type of material as that from which the box-like enclosure 38 is made. For ease in grasping the removable pre-wash scrap basket 39, a handle member 51 is centrally mounted on cover 45 by suitable means (not shown). A substantially U-shaped bracket member 52 which functions as an aligning and spacing means in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter is suitably secured to the front wall 46 adjacent the lowermost edge thereof and so as to be essentially centrally positioned between the side edges of front wall 46.

Rear wall 50 is pivotally mounted on hinge 53 whereby it functions as a quick open side which can be fully opened to allow easy access to the interior of the pre-wash scrap basket 39 to permit removal of the food soil which has accumulated therein. Preferably a pair of essentially L- shaped spring clips 54 are provided suitably supported on the hinged rear wall 50 at either side thereof and adjacent the top edge of wall 50 for automatically locking the latter in place when the rear wall 50 is swung shut. As illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawing with reference to side wall 49, the rear edge portion 49a of wall 49 which is preferably doubled over to provide a firmer grasping surface and eliminate a raw edge is captured between flange member 50a of rear wall 50 and one of the pair of spring clips 54 when the hinged rear wall 50 is in the closed position. Although not shown, it is of course to be understood that side wall 48 is of identical construction as side wall 49 and functions in the same aforedescribed fashion.

It will be noted as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing, that rear Wall 50 is foreshortened in height as compared to the height of front wall 46. Thus, an opening 55 is provided between the upper edge 50]) of rear wall 50 and the flange 45a of cover 45. The opening 55 as best seen in FIG. 4 of the drawing is aligned with the upper surface of internal scrap pans 34. Accordingly, the water bearing the refuse initially removed from the soiled dishes, glassware, etc. in the pre-wash section 12 of the dishwasher 10 flows downwardly in the direction of arrows 36 along the upper surface of internal scrap pans 34 and enters pre-wash scrap basket 39 through the opening '55. The refuse accumulates in the scrap basket 39 while the water escapes through the strainer walls of the basket 39 into the wash water tank located adjacent thereto whereupon as aforementioned it is allowed to recirculate through the pre-wash section 12 of the dishwasher 10. When the scrap basket 39 has become sufiiciently full of refuse, the dishwashing machine operator need merely grasp the handle member 51 and raise the pre-Wash scrap basket out of the box-like enclosure 38 as partially depicted in dotted lines in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

With the scrap basket 39 removed from the dishwasher 10, the operator is thereupon able to open the quick open side of basket 39, i.e., hinged rear wall 50, and remove the refuse from the scrap basket 39 and clean as well the interior walls of the basket 39 before replacing the basket 39 in the box-like enclosure 38. If by chance the quick open side of scrap basket 39 is accidentally left partially open after cleaning, it 'will be snapped shut by engagement with front panel 20 of pre-wash section 12 as the basket 39 is lowered into the box-like enclosure 38.

To ensure that pre-wash scrap basket 39 is properly positioned when returned after cleaning to the box-like enclosure 38, the aforedescribed U-shaped bracket 52 and slotted opening 44 in flange member 40a of front wall 40 have been provided. The slotted opening 44 is so located that U-shaped bracket 52 is capable of passing therethrough as the pre-wash scrap basket 39 is lowered into the box-like enclosure 38. Should the pro-wash scrap basket 39 be turned end for end, the U-shaped bracket 52 will strike a portion of the box-like enclosure 38 as the basket 39 is being lowered thereinto thereby preventing the scrap basket 39 from being improperly inserted into the boxlike enclosure 38. Another function of the U-shaped bracket 52 is that by ensuring that the correct spacing exists between the inner surface of front Wall 40 of boxlike enclosure 38 and front wall 46 of pre-wash scrap basket 39, it simultaneously ensures that the other walls of the pre-wash scrap basket 39 also bear the desired relationship relative to the walls of the box-like enclosure 38.

Thus, there has been provided a novel and improved pre-wash scrap basket means for commercial dishwashers, particularly of the type having a pre-wash section, wherein the pre-wash scrap basket 39 is positioned externally adjacent the front of the dishwasher such as to permit the operator to periodically remove the basket 39 from the dishwasher 10 to remove the pre-wash soil therefrom without turning off the recirculating pumps and affecting the output of the dishwasher. Further the pre-wash scrap basket 39 including cover 45, handle 51, and basket is of one piece construction whereby no parts can be misplaced or lost and whereby proper alignment and replacement of the scrap basket 39 in the dishwasher 10 is facilitated. The pre-wash scrap basket 39 moreover is provided with a quick open side 50 for easy access, without the need to use any tools, to the interior of the prewash scrap basket 39 to facilitate cleaning thereof and wherein the quick open side 50 is provided with a selflocking and self-aligning feature, i.e., spring clips 54, whereby the quick open side if left partially open accidentally after cleaning is snapped shut automatically when the scrap basket 39 is replaced in the dishwasher 10. Finally, there has been provided a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein the refuse bearing water flows into the prewash scrap basket 39 through a side thereof instead of the top thereby precluding the possibility that refuse, etc. from the water will accumulate on the handle 51 of the scrap basket 39.

While only one embodiment of my invention has been shown, it will be appreciated that many modifications thereof may readily be made by those skilled in the art, some of which have been previously suggested hereinabove. It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover the above modifications as well as all other modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. For use in a dishwasher having at least one front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposed end walls defining a wash compartment, a pre-wash scrap basket means comprising:

(a) enclosure means supported externally of said wash compartment on said front wall of said dishwasher;

(b) said enclosure means comprising a front member, a

pair of opposed side members, and a bottom member;

(c) a pre-Wash scrap basket removably positionable within said enclosure means, said pre-wash scrap basket including a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposed side walls, a bottom wall, and a cover;

(d) said cover being formed of solid material, and at least some of said walls of said pre-wash scrap basket being formed of screen-like strainer material;

(e) at least one of said walls of said pre-wash scrap basket formed of said screen-like strainer material being foreshortened in height relative to the other of said walls of said pre-wash scrap basket;

(f) said pre-wash scrap basket having an opening therein defined by the space existing between said cover and said one of said walls of foreshortened height of said pre-wash scrap basket;

(g) said opening allowing entry into said pre-wash scrap basket of water bearing the refuse dislodged from articles being cleaned in said wash compartment; and

(h) said refuse being deposited within said pre-wash scrap basket and said water being allowed to escape through said walls of screen-like strainer material of said pre-wash scrap basket in order to be available to be recirculated through said wash compartment.

2. For use in a dishwasher as set forth in claim 1, a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein:

(a) a handle is mounted on said cover of said pre-wash scrap basket to facilitate removal of said pre-wash scrap basket from said enclosure means; and

(b) said enclosure means and said pre-wash scrap basket are provided with cooperating guide and alignment means to ensure correct insertion into said enclosure means of said pre-wash scrap basket.

3. For use in a dishwasher as set forth in claim 2, a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein said guide and alignment means comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket member supported on said front wall of said prewash scrap basket and a cooperating slotted opening in said front member of said enclosure means to receive asid substantially U-shaped bracket member.

4. For use in a dishwasher as set forth in claim 1, a prewash scrap basket means wherein:

(a) said one of said walls of foreshortened height of said pre-wash scrap basket is said rear wall;

(b) hinge means pivotally interconnect said rear wall of said pre-wash scrap basket to said bottom wall of said pre-wash scrap basket; and

(c) said rear Wall of said pre-wash scrap basket is movable between a closed position and an open position lying approximately apart to allow easy access to and removal of the refuse accumulated in said pre-wash scrap basket when said rear wall is moved to said open position after removal of said pre-wash scrap basket from said enclosure means.

5. For use in a dishwasher as set forth in claim 4, a pre-wash scrap basket means wherein snap locking means are supported on said rear wall, said snap locking means engaging said pair of opposed side walls of said pre-wash scrap basket to automatically lock said rear wall of said pre-wash scrap basket in place when said rear wall of said pre-wash scrap basket is moved to said closed position.

6. In a dishwasher having a wash compartment including a front Wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposed side walls, and at least one internal scrap pan extending substantially completely between said walls of said wash compartment and sloping downwardly from said rear wall to said front wall of said wash compartment, the improvement of a pre- Wash scrap basket means comprising:

(a) enclosure means supported externally of said wash compartment on said front wall of said dishwasher;

(b) said enclosure means comprising a front member,

a pair of opposed side members, and a bottom member;

(c) a pre-wash scrap basket removably positionable within said enclosure means, said pre-wash scrap basket including a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposed side walls, a bottom wall, and a cover;

((1) said cover being formed of solid material, and at least some of said walls of said pre-wash scrap basket being formed of screen-like strainer material;

(e) at least one of said walls of said pre-wash scrap basket formed of said screen-like strainer material being foreshortened in height relative to the other of said walls of said pre-wash scrap basket;

(f) said pre-wash scrap basket having an opening therein defined by the spacing existing between said cover and said one of said walls of foreshortened height of said pre-Wash scrap basket;

(g) said opening allowing entry into said pre-wash scrap basket of water bearing the refuse dislodged from articles being cleaned in said wash compartment,

said refuse bearing water flowing downwardly along said rear wall of said pre-wash scrap basket is movthe upper surface of said internal scrap pan and into able between a closed position and an open position said pre-wash scrap basket; and lying approximately 180 apart to allow easy access (h) said refuse being deposited within said pre-wash to and removal of the refuse accumulated in said prescrap basket and said water being allowed to escape wash scrap basket when said rear wall is moved to through said walls of screen-like strainer material of said open position after removal of said pre-wash said pre-wash scrap basket in order to be available to scrap basket from said enclosure means. be recirculated through said wash compartment. 9. In a dishwasher as set forth in claim 8 wherein: 7. In a dishwasher as set forth in claim 6 wherein: (a) snap locking means are supported on said rear wall; (a) a handle is mounted on said cover of said pre-wash I0 and scrap basket to facilitate removal of said pre-wash (b) said snap locking means engage said pair of opscrap basket from said enclosure means; and posed side Walls of said pre-wash scrap basket to (b) guide and alignment means are provided on said automatically lock said rear wall of said pre-wash enclosure means and said pro-wash scrap basket to scrap basket in place when said rear wall of said preensure correct insertion of said pre-wash scrap basket wash scrap basket is moved to said closed position. into said enclosure means, said guide and alignment means comprising a substantially 'U-shaped bracket References Cited member supported on said front wall of said pre- UNITED STATES PATENTS wash scrap basket and a cooperating slotted opening in said front member of said enclosure to receive 1629155 5/1927 Dogtal' 2,050,634 8/1936 Stegemann 2l0167X said substantially U-shaped bracket member. 3 067 757 12/1962 F 134 111 8. In a dishwasher as set forth in claim 6 wherein: 0X (a) said one of sald walls of foreshortened height of JOHN ADEE Primary Examiner said pre-wash scrap basket 1s said rear wall; (b) hinge means pivotally interconnect said rear wall of said pre-wash scrap basket to said bottom wall of 4 1 1; 21 1 7 said pro-Wash scrap basket; and 

